Marci Baun

Questions for the Voodoo Doll Lady, AKA Debi Sullivan (grin)

I am not one to do interviews on my private blog, but, on occasion, I will slip. Since I believe in this competition, and this organization, and, because I can, today I am interviewing my fearless friend and partner in evil thinking, EPIC Awards chair Debi Sullivan. You will find this interview to be a bit of serious, a bit of silliness, and hopefully entertaining.

So, darling, the deadline to enter EPIC Awards is fast approaching. Could you edify us a bit on what exactly this award that I’ve twittered nearly nonstop for the past month is all about?

EPIC’s annual e-book competition showcases the best of the best in e-publishing. For more information, check out our web announcement at:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/07/prweb2673704.htm

Whose books are eligible?

Any English-language e-book, published between Oct. 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009, that meets our word minimum criteria .Check out the Competition Guidelines at www.epicauthors.com for more details.

When is the latest date someone can enter?

The deadline for submissions is rapidly approaching. The competition closes to entries at midnight CST, on August 15^th, 2009. Payments must be received by midnight on August 16^th.

Hey! If you are an author and haven’t entered yet, best get your butt in gear!

What makes this award different from other writing competitions out there?

EPIC’s EBook Competition is unique in that it reflects the ever-changing changing mores of the e-publishing world. This competition has garnered a reputation for excellence with both entrants and judges, a reputation that will continue to shine as we move into the future. I am extremely proud to know that I have had an integral part in phenomenal changes to this competition.

Are there other reasons you believe this is a good competition to enter?

Gee…there are tons! You get recognition from your peers, find new places to submit, have another place to show off how great your book(s) is, and have bragging rights if you final. Plus, if you win, we give you a cool award you can put on top of your monitor to give you inspiration the next time you have a writer’s block.

How is it judged? Can anyone be a judge?

Our judges come from all arenas of the e- and print publishing industry. Scores are not revealed to anyone but yours truly (bribery doesn’t work, though it HAS been tried).

This award used to known as the EPPIE. Why did the name change?

EPIC learned that another contest had trademarked their competition name and it’s very similar to EPPIE. To avoid a legal battle, EPIC decided to change the name of our competition. Anyone who already has an EPPIE in their possession has a true collectors item. *lol*

EPIC is brewing up a new name. When will we know what it’s called?

The new name will be revealed at EPIC’s annual conference taking place at the Sheraton in New Orleans, LA from March 4-7, 2010. Want to be one of the first ones to know what we pick? Be there!

Now, I’ve seen you at EPICon. (Trust me, people. It’s not a pretty sight. When she gets out her voodoo dolls, you know you are in trouble. ) What possessed you to volunteer as the chair?

Hey! That is only before coffee. Give me coffee in the early hours (FYI: before 10am) and I am an absolute sweetheart.

So, you want the truth or a lie? *LOL*

I believe in what EPIC stands for as an organization and initially *cough* volunteered to work behind the scenes to learn more about this very interesting contest.

I started out as a judge, moved up to category judge coordinator before getting shanghaied (yes, I said shanghaied – too strange of an event to go into here) into being the E-Book Competition Chair. At the time I was also the New Voices Chair, which made for a VERY chaotic and wacky year. Been EPIC’s E-Book Competition Chair for two years now and, yes, I am more than a bit crazy…a fact that will be sworn to by anyone who knows and adores me…or fears me *bwahhahaha*.

What is EPICon?

EPICon is EPIC’s annual convention when all of EPIC’s members get together. We are Par-TY animals! All kidding aside, we have awesome and informative workshops that range from those suitable for young writers to the hottest of the hottest erotica. The awards banquet is always eventful (honest, you have be there to understand the insanity) and you never know who will be there – whether it is Sherrilyn Kenyon or the latest marketing/promo guru and/or agent. It is the perfect venue to mingle with your peers and there is so much going on, there is something for everyone.

We also have a special celebratory luncheon for the winners of our New Voices Young Writers Competition, which promotes Middle and High School-aged authors through a global network. EPIC is very proud of the New Voices Competition (which happens to run from August 1, 2009 through Oct. 20, 2009…hint hint), a perfect platform to educate students and their schools about e-books and the e-publishing industry.

Can only members attend EPICon?

Any industry member is welcome, as long as they are willing to pay the entrance fee. Not being involved in the details, as chair to this e-book competition keeps me hopping, I would suggest checking in at www.epicauthors.com, closer to the end of the year, to learn the nitty-gritty.

On a lighter note: What material do you find is the best for your voodoo dolls? (wink)

Pins…lots and lots of pins! <VEG> and chocolate. Makes poking the pins less painful for ME.

Can chocolate placate you when you are riled? Or do you need something stronger, like ten shots of vodka? (Or maybe chocolate vodka shots.)

Love the darkest chocolate, rich coffee with loads of cream and sugar, and my cancer-sticks. Yeah, I know the latter is not healthy for me…but it IS healthy for the entrants. Keep that in mind if anyone is looking for bribe material. *hehehehe*

Is there anything else you would like to say to my brave readers?

If you are an author – get your book and entry fee together and enter the competition NOW. The clock is counting down.

If you are a reader – go look to see who has entered in the past and buy their books. That means they’re really good. And be sure to check back around the beginning of December 2009 to see who are in the finals …and then go buy THEIR books.

Don’t make me go get the dolls…they love to come out and play!

Thanks for coming and visiting with me. You must come again, but leave your voodoo dolls at home. (grin)

This entry was posted on Friday, August 7th, 2009 at 8:39 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.